[tokwitney]

My sister-in-law is off to the States next week & has offered to do a bit of shopping for us.
I was wondering if it would be a good idea to get a new HD camcorder from there.Would we save much on the price?
I know nothing about them,but was looking for any pointers towards a good mid priced model.

[senu]

It would depend on type
Do have a little look at previous similar threads
The main issues are TV system ( if it isnt a Hi def)
Honouring Warrantee if i breaks
and
Duty

If Hi def it matters a lot less if it is from the US.. unless you want to produce DVDS for use here

[tokwitney]

Thanks, just been reading some posts about NTSC etc.I've got a Pioneer hdtv so i dont think it would be a problem.
I quite like the look of the Canon HF-10,but as I said I'm new to this camcorder game,so I will have to do a bit of quick research as she's going on Saturday.
The duty thing is a bit of a problem,hopefully she could hide it in one of the 10,000 handbags she will no doubt be buying...

[senu]

Originally Posted by tokwitney

Thanks, just been reading some posts about NTSC etc.I've got a Pioneer hdtv so i dont think it would be a problem.
I quite like the look of the Canon HF-10,but as I said I'm new to this camcorder game,so I will have to do a bit of quick research as she's going on Saturday.
The duty thing is a bit of a problem,hopefully she could hide it in one of the 10,000 handbags she will no doubt be buying...

Or beter still se it once or twice , and then it is really a personal effect .. so staying legal

[progomez]

Make sure she gets rid of the box.

[senu]

Originally Posted by progomez

Make sure she gets rid of the box.

Why?
The point is not to promote an illegality but to make it a legitimate thing by using it anyway.
If the box is no longer available, it may make returns hard should it have a fault , and anyway she could have bought it duty free in the UK on her way to holiday, that doesnt mean she now has to pay duty.., having already used it

[Scruffie]

There is a possible issue with flickering lights due to the frequency of the electricity supply here and the recording frequency of US HD cameras. I've tried to get more information from people who use US standard HD cameras here in Europe but the response is disappointingly muted: Does anyone here actually use a 60hz HD camorder in UK\Ireland?

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by senu

anyway she could have bought it duty free in the UK on her way to holiday, that doesnt mean she now has to pay duty.., having already used it

I don't think that is the case senu. Just because something has been used does not AFAIK mean that no import duty or VAT will be payable on the item. You are only exempt from duty/VAT if they have already been paid on the item, and as the person carrying it, it is down to you to prove that the duty has already been paid by showing a receipt etc.
If the camcorder gets sent back to the USA for repair then customs can stop it on it's return and charge the VAT & duty unless you can prove that it has already been paid.

Mark.

[senu]

Originally Posted by MarkE19

I don't think that is the case senu. Just because something has been used does not AFAIK mean that no import duty or VAT will be payable on the item. You are only exempt from duty/VAT if they have already been paid on the item, and as the person carrying it, it is down to you to prove that the duty has already been paid by showing a receipt etc.
If the camcorder gets sent back to the USA for repair then customs can stop it on it's return and charge the VAT & duty unless you can prove that it has already been paid.

Mark.

Thanks for clearing that up
It is less however far less likely that you will be asked to prove it if it looks like a personal effect and used albeit once or twice
Realistically, folk dont often get asked these unless they are obviously brand new in unsealed packages, perhaps most folk are given the benefit of the doubt